Fire Starting In The Boreal Forest — The Simpler Way

There are so many ways to start a fire. Thousands of posts and videos on social media show creative ways to light a fire in the wilderness. As bushcraft people ourselves, we love experimenting with new ways to create flames out of very little equipment. However, at some point, the question comes: what is the most reliable, simpler, quicker way to light a fire? It is a relevant question for two reasons: first, when put in a survival situation, pragmatism is the rule, it is important to not waste energy and get a hot burning fire quickly. Second, how do you teach someone else — a kid — to start a fire? A 10-year-old child should be able to replicate the technique and start a fire by themselves. The equipment and skill level should be minimal, yet efficient.

What tools and techniques are not needed? Tools that create sparks are not convenient because they require training. Flint and steel, Ferro rods, fun tools to use, but good luck using them effectively in challenging weather. One needs favorable conditions, not be in a hurry, and extensive practice to be efficient with them. Sure, peeling “feather sticks” with a knife is fun,  but without the skill and the right wood material to use that technique, what is it worth? What about the magnifying glass and fresnel lens then? Picture yourself in a raging snowstorm, or at dawn or dusk. You need a lot of sun for that fire starting method... No sun during the months where the need for a quick fire is important: in winter. Should we even mention the difficulty of a fire by friction? Try it: go in a real wilderness and light a fire with a self-made bow drill. Even well-trained survival experts find it challenging. When minutes count, it is impossible. Sure, it is useful and rewarding to practice all of those methods and use various tools, but empathize with the wilderness novice, what do they actually need to know? If you live in the wilderness you are likely not wasting too much time on a bow drill. 

What tools are actually needed? A lighter or matches, or anything that will create a flame. That’s it! Of course, you need a fuel source: wood! More accurately kindling, which is made of small and dry little twigs found at the base of conifers. Of course, once the fire is started larger pieces of dry wood should be added. It is called the twig-method of fire lighting, and it is the simplest method. Here are the 3 main steps. 

1- Gather a bouquet of small dry twigs, a handful can be enough, but the bouquet can be much bigger if you need a strong fire burning quickly.

2- Put a flame beneath it, the first twigs to be lit should have the diameter of a match.

3- Once the fire is burning add larger pieces of wood, wrist sized branches are enough for most cooking applications, however, look for larger branches if you need a warming fire for the night.